Meet Louisa from Dartford, Kent who moved to LA 8 months ago to pursue her career in acting.
Was there a particular reason you chose LA ?
Well after spending three years acting professionally in London, I felt it was time for a change of scenery. I’d visited LA many times over the past eight years and the fact that Hollywood, our ‘mecca’ for acting, was the main artery to the city, well that sold it to me instantly! Of course the sunshine, beaches and smiley faces were an added bonus. It has definitely been worthwhile me moving here too. In eight months, I’ve been in one feature, four shorts, two television shows and various theatre gigs about town! It’s been a busy and wonderful eight months.
What do you miss most from home?
I miss crumpets, proper Warburtons crumpets, with lashings of Lurpak butter and Marmite. I also miss Monster Munch Pickled Onion and my Mum’s roast dinner, with proper gravy,Yorkshires and roasties! Drooling now!
What was your first impression of LA and has it changed since? If so why?
Well I’d been to LA many times before but I guess the first thing I noticed actually moving here, was how it’s like anywhere in the world. Once the sunshine and shiny cars become a normality, Los Angeles becomes a home like anywhere. The people I find are a lot more friendly, but then that’s hardly a surprise coming from near London. I first thought that the industry would be ‘scary’ but actually Hollywood and everything about it is wonderful, so professional and they are always so welcoming to me, well that’s my experience so far.
What do you find the biggest difference is living here versus Dartford?
Wow now comparing it to London, there’s a lot. But Dartford…they are worlds apart. Dartford is green fields on the outskirts, merging with grey pavements and a pretty poor local community, a thriving working class town back in the day, now a typical high street, closed shops and the Saturday market keeping it going. Los Angeles absolutely has those poor pockets dotted about the sprawling metropolis but equally it has blue ocean shores drifting into those picture-perfect Hollywood hills with glistening motors and supermodels at every corner. Quite literally two worlds apart!
Do you have any hidden gems in LA that you want to share with us?
The Venice Canals! I know it may not be ‘hidden’ but I have so many people here who have been to ‘Venice’ but never the canals…..and they are truly breathtaking. When I am stressed or the buzz of the city gets a bit too much, I head off to walk about the canals. They feel like a vacuum of silence amidst the craziness of Venice.
Also there is a taco van in Venice, only there from 10pm till 2am so if you’re ever out for a drink in the local haunts and you fancy the best tacos in the whole of Venice and Santa Monica then I couldn’t recommend it more. It’s like a local secret!
A lot of people have misconceptions about LA – did you?
Yes I thought it would be smaller. I had no idea how HUGE this place is and how BAD the traffic can get! A car is a lifeline here and I couldn’t live without mine, thank godness I like driving! I also thought I’d get fat and the food would be bad, however I have Cafe Gratitude on my corner and every other shop is a juice bar or healthy shop of some sort!
What would you suggest to others who are thinking about making the move here?
1) Get a car 2) When you first arrive, getting an apartment with no SSN or credit history can be an absolute nightmare, so just breathe and take things calmly. I did. It took me 13 days from landing but I had a three-bedroom apartment under my name for a year’s lease, a phone, a car and a bank account. It was probably the most stressful 13 days I’ve had in a long time, but it was worth it all!
If your life was a TV show what would be the theme tune and why?
I think it would be Etta James’ Something’s Got A Hold On Me….because LA has totally got a hold on me and I just imagine this track playing everytime I’m driving along the palm tree-lined roads.
Lastly, how can we find out more about you?
www.louisafaye.com That tells you a bit more about me and what I’m up to all the time.
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